LAWS1027: Semester 1, 2025

Overview

This unit is the first of two that introduce students to criminal law, criminal procedure, and legal research. Students will learn about the fundamental elements of the criminal legal system, including its adversarial nature, and selected criminal and procedural laws and practices. Topics include police powers, bail, elements of a criminal offence, and various offences. Students will assess broader theoretical, social, and justice issues related to the development and operation of criminal law and procedure, including the ongoing effects of colonisation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives on criminal justice systems. Students will learn to analyse problems, construct persuasive legal arguments using legal reasoning, and develop legal research skills for study and practice, including how to locate and cite case law and legislation. Students will also participate in simulations and work collaboratively in teams.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	LAWS1025
Prohibitions ?	LAWS1014 and LAWS1016
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Louise Boon-Kuo, louise.boon-kuo@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Louise Boon-Kuo, louise.boon-kuo@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Louise Cauchi, louise.cauchi@sydney.edu.au
	Carolyn McKay, carolyn.mckay@sydney.edu.au
	Salim Farrar, salim.farrar@sydney.edu.au
	Alexander Kuklik, alex.kuklik@sydney.edu.au
	Tania Panico, tania.panico@sydney.edu.au
	Ume Rubab Sheikh, ume.sheikh@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam (40%) Problem and essay questions (1.5 hrs+30mins reading)	40%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Class participation (20%) Leading class discussion, answering questions on assigned topics, participation, and collaboration.	20%	Ongoing	1 x 2-hour tutorial
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Early Feedback Task (0%) Interactive module with questions #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 14 Mar 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Mar 2025	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Attending Court Task (pass/fail) Interactive module with questions	0%	Week 04 Due date: 21 Mar 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Mar 2025	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Court observation reflection essay (40%) Court observation reflection essay	40%	Week 06 Due date: 04 Apr 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 11 Apr 2025	(Long-release) 1200 words.
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Early feedback task (0%):
As part of our commitment to student success, this unit includes an early feedback task (EFT). The task is designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

The EFT in this unit is an interactive module containing questions in two parts. Part 1 is composed of questions about the unit and its requirements, and part 2 includes questions that assist your preparation for the Court Observation Reflection Essay. You must complete all questions in part 1 and all questions in part 2 and gain a score of 90% or better to complete the EFT. You will have multiple attempts to complete the task.

The EFT will be available via Canvas from 3 March 2025 (Sydney Australia time) and must be completed by 11.59pm 14 March 2025 (Sydney Australia time). Students will be provided with immediate, automated feedback upon completion of the task.

Attending Court Task (pass/fail):
Students are required to complete this task before attending court and will not be able to access the Assignment question for the Court Observation Reflection Essay in Canvas until they have successfully completed it.

The Attending Court Task is a Hurdle Task. Students must complete all questions and gain a score of 90% or better to achieve a pass.

You will have multiple attempts to complete the Attending Court Task which will be available via Canvas from 3 March 2025 (Sydney Australia time) and must be completed by 11.59pm 21 March 2025 (Sydney Australia time). Students will be provided with immediate, automated feedback, upon completion of the task.

Class Participation (20%):
Active participation, communication, and collaboration in tutorials are essential to success in this unit. You will be assigned to a tutorial team in your first tutorial, and you will also be allocated to the role of Team Leader for one tutorial in the semester. When you are the designated Team Leader, you will encourage and facilitate discussion of the materials and questions in your team and report the team’s final responses to the class. To successfully demonstrate collaboration and communication, you will need to share your prepared written responses with your team members as a prompt for team conversation during class before the whole-of-class discussion. As part of demonstrating your understanding of the topic and your contribution to the learning experiences of others, you will need to use your legal research skills to cite appropriate sources to support your analysis. Your weekly participation in team and class discussion is worth 10 marks and your tutorial team leadership is worth 10 marks. Further instructions and the marking rubrics are available via Canvas.

Assignment (40%):
To complete the Court Observation Reflection Essay, you are required to submit a 1200-word Court Observation Reflection Essay (including references). This assessment requires you to first observe court, and then submit an essay where you draw on selected texts to discuss your reflections and insights about the court matter/s you have observed. This assessment also requires you to demonstrate your legal research skills by correctly utilising the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for footnote references.

Further instructions and the marking rubric will be released on Canvas by 3 March 2025 Sydney, Australia time. The due date for submissions is 4 April 2025 at 11.59pm Sydney, Australia time, and assignments must be submitted via Canvas. You are required to follow AGLC4 style for footnote references. A bibliography is not required.

Final exam (40%):
There will be a supervised final exam held on-campus during the formal examination period. This exam will be open book which means you are permitted to take in hard copy or printed materials, but you are not permitted access to any electronic devices. The exam may cover all topics in the unit. It will consist of problem questions and short essay questions. You will have 90 minutes to write your responses plus 30 minutes of reading time. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours.

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will include all footnotes, and exclude acknowledgements of permissible assistance from editors, automated writing tools or generative AI (where use is permitted).

Use of editors or proof-readers: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking).

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	• Completely answers the question. • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	• Completely answers the question. • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. • Generally well expressed and free from errors. • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	• Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. • Contains no significant errors • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	• Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. • Contains some significant errors. • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. • Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. • Adequate expression. • Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	• Does not answer the question. • Contains significant or numerous errors. • Few or no identifiable arguments. • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. • Lack of research or analysis. • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see Guide to Grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 5% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. For example, a submission after 11:59pm but before the same time the following day will attract a 5% penalty. Late penalties will be strictly applied. In accordance with University policy, work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date will be awarded a mark of zero. The date and time of submission as recorded by Canvas is taken as the official and final record of a student’s submission. Late submissions do not apply to the exam, which will not be accepted if submitted after the deadline.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 02	Topic 1 - Criminal Law and Process in Context	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Topic 1 – Preparation for Court Observation, and Legal Research	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Topic 2 - Themes in the Criminal Process	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Topic 2 – Discussion, and Problems on the Classification of Offences	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Topic 3 - Police Powers	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Topic 3 – Discussion and Problems on Police Powers	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Topic 4 – Police Custody and Bail	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Topic 4 – Discussion and Problems on Bail Law	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Topic 5 - Crime and Criminalisation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Topic 5 – Discussion of Criminalisation, and Problems on the Elements of an Offence	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Topic 6 - The Elements of Criminal Offences	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Topic 6 – Problems on the Elements of Criminal Offences	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Topic 7 - Offences	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Topic 7 – Problems and Discussion on Offences	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Topic 8 - Pre-trial Process and Prosecutorial Discretion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Topic 8 – Problems on Prosecutorial Discretion	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Topic 9 - Discretion, Diversion, and Alternatives	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Topic 10 – Simulated Court Proceeding and Discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Topic 10 - Criminal Law, Process, and Research I Consolidated	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Topic 10 – Practice Exam and Discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Your attendance at tutorials will be recorded by your tutor each week. You are required to attend 70% of tutorials to satisfy the pass requirements for this unit. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an Absent Fail grade being recorded as the student’s result for this unit (see The University of Sydney Law School Resolutions: Coursework Awards cl 11).

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4.

Study commitment: Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6-credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

David Brown, Luke McNamara, Alex Steel, Julia Quilter, Melanie Schwartz, Thalia Anthony, Arlie Loughnan, Helen Gibbon, Vicki Sentas, Elyse Methven, Leah Williams, Criminal Laws: Materials and Commentary on Criminal Law and Process in NSW (Federation Press, 8th edn., 2025).

Please consult the learning guide on Canvas for a detailed list of required and optional learning material.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Critically analyse and appraise the impact of selected procedural and substantive criminal laws within their historical, social, political, and institutional contexts.
LO2. Construct and justify persuasive legal arguments to address factual problems and theoretical issues concerning the development and operation of procedural and substantive criminal law.
LO3. Lead independently and contribute to collaborative teams, upholding respectful and ethical standards, to effectively communicate complex legal concepts and arguments to diverse audiences.
LO4. Critically reflect on key procedural and substantive criminal laws, Indigenous-led initiatives, and the ongoing effects of colonisation, on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ equality before the law.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is a new unit of study.

Additional information

Content notice

This unit of study contains reference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students should be advised that this unit of study will include content which contains images and names of deceased persons. Please consult the unit Learning Guide and Schedule on canvas for detailed guidance.

Some unit learning materials quote terms, language, or descriptors that reflect the attitudes and context of the period in which the material was originally created, and which may not be appropriate or acceptable today. This material has not been altered because it is part of developing an accurate understanding of the historical and contemporary context of criminal law and process, and evaluating concepts of equal justice.

Unit content also contains sensitive material that some may find distressing.

For information about support services for students at the University, see the Student Life website https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/student-life/student-support.html

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 07 Feb 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS1027: Criminal Law, Process, and Research I

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect